Instructional Support Technician (Electronics) Full-time NEW

Job Title

Technical Support Staff – Auxiliary

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

The term of this position is one year plus a day, with the possibility of extension from the date of hire. This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

As a key member of the Undergraduate Support Services Team, you will actively support and enhance the learning experience for undergraduate students, with a primary focus on laboratory instruction and technical operations. Working collaboratively within the team, you will take primary responsibility for managing undergraduate labs, which includes:

• Equipment & Facilities: Specifying, designing, building, modifying, testing, and repairing lab equipment, while managing lab materials, documentation, and manuals.
• Instructional & Mentorship Support: Mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, Teaching Assistants (TAs), and Lab Instructors (LIs), as well as serving as the primary Lab Instructor when appropriate.
• Course Development & Continuity: Collaborating directly with Course Instructors to create, develop, and ensure the ongoing continuity of lab materials and procedures.
• Safety & Compliance: Developing, implementing, and enforcing comprehensive lab safety procedures.

This role requires a strong breadth and depth of technical expertise to thrive in an environment of constant technological evolution. You will serve as a vital technical resource, supporting faculty, staff, and students across both teaching and administrative contexts within the ECE department.

Responsibilities

Managing and Planning Work

• Converting instructions from Administration (student program requirements) and Faculty (research program requirements) into a work schedule.
• Setting and/or negotiating priorities.
• Organizing the work of junior/entry level technicians in conjunction with the senior technician and supervising technician.
• Recommending build vs. buy decisions based on time/funding availability. This would require preliminary design work and consultation with the machine shop on mechanical construction (materials, time, scheduling).
• Monitor suppliers' capabilities (bring in equipment for demonstrations and/or check availability, delivery times of parts & equipment).

Teaching & Teaching Support

• Train users on the safe and correct use of laboratory equipment for undergraduate lab courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Develop Safe Operating Procedures as needed.
• Set up lab equipment and/or software for the lab and be available to resolve equipment, system, and/or software troubles.
• Ensure that the grad student LIs and TAs are appropriately prepared/trained before their labs, and we are available to provide additional assistance/training to them if needed.
• Set lab schedules within existing timetables and coordinate with other lab instructors where labs alternate between courses.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repair and Testing of Equipment

• When equipment breaks down, troubleshoot to discover the source of the breakdown and take appropriate action to repair the equipment if possible or recommend alternate action based on time/funding available.
• Test and calibrate equipment for correct operation and take action as required for equipment maintenance.
• Maintain lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.), including testing and calibration of equipment for correct operation after repair.

Design & Construction of Special Equipment for Research

• Guide graduate students in defining and/or designing experimental equipment or systems to support their research/thesis program.
• Keep current on occupational health and safety regulations for the labs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on technical experience in a research or teaching laboratory environment.
• Proven track record of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students or junior technical staff.
• Prior experience in public speaking, teaching, or instructional support is a definite asset.
• Advanced ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across hardware, test equipment, and software systems.
• Deep understanding of the interrelationships among networks, systems, and integrated hardware/software components.
• Proficiency with computer simulation tools and programming languages.
• Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong relationships with a diverse, multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Exceptional composure, creativity, and adaptability when navigating high-stress, fast-paced environments.

About the Team

The Faculty of Engineering is one of North America's top engineering schools, known for innovation, collaboration, and impact. It fosters an exceptional student experience through a holistic approach that combines technical excellence with emotional intelligence. With strong community engagement, interdisciplinary research, and a commitment to societal well-being, the faculty prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving, global engineering landscape.

About University of Alberta

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.